A lot of people have taken an economic pounding around the country. But here in Michigan, the bad news has been going on for the better part of a decade.
And when I run into salespeople who've been let go ("downsized" is the politically correct term) or business owners who've lost their businesses, so many of them are defeated, going through the motions, and completely disengaged from life.
I've been in that group in my pre-inspection life, and it hurts. One day I was designing, building and testing industrial and automotive prototypes. The next I was out of business, out of work, and out of luck.
I enjoyed going to a local restaurant for coffee and a light salad a few times a week. Over the years, the owner and I had become good friends. As his business slowed down and mine went under, he was great company as we commiserated together around the topic of "This Economy Sucks." Many other acquaintances were out of work too, so when we'd meet, we'd have a good gripe-fest about everything that was wrong.
A central topic was "the good ol' days." Back when we made deals.. made all the income we needed... and were "successful." All that was ingloriously in the past, and we had nothing to hope for.
Then one day a friend gave me a copy of W. Clement Stone's part autobiography/part self-help book called The Success System That Never Fails. Since I had nothing better to do than mope around and complain, I started reading it one day. I enjoyed it and generally nodded my head, agreeing with what he was writing, although never finding anything I felt could apply to my situation.
Then I was hit in the gut with one of the most time-appropriate, powerful sentences I have ever read. And when I mean I was hit in the gut, I literally gasped for air.
Mr. Stone wrote this in big, bold letters: Don't let your future behind you.
And it hit me like the proverbial ton of bricks, because that was exactly what I was doing, along with all my down-and-out buddies.
The revelation went deep into my soul, and I made a decision that my future was in front of my, not behind me.
Earlier I had read another one of Mr. Stone's thoughts: decisions without actions are worthless. So I began taking action towards my "comeback." With my science background, I'd done a lot of environmental testing at my business. So I got involved in environmental testing and indoor air quality. I got my builders license and implemented what I'd learned about building science every day. I met an influential man who worked both as an inspector and an expert witness in courts, who took me under his wing and brought me into the home inspection industry.
And I loved the journey that has lead me several years later to this point.
So if things have you down and you keep thinking about how the good ol' days are gone forever, please consider this advice from Mr. Stone: Don't let your future behind you.
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